Investigating the Role of Imagery Vividness in the Experience of Involuntary Memories of Previously-Imagined Positive Scenarios

Abstract Background Involuntary memories are common in daily life and thought to play important functional roles, for example in prompting behaviour. People can experience involuntary memories not only of events they have actually experienced, but also of scenarios they have only imagined. However, this latter phenomenon, and the factors influencing its occurrence, are relatively unexplored. The current study aimed to investigate whether the vividness of an imagined scenario affects the likelihood of involuntary recall. Methods University students ( N = 80) listened to descriptions of positive scenarios and imagined them, with half the sample randomly allocated to hearing extended versions of the scenarios hypothesised to induce more vivid imagery. Participants then recorded involuntary memories of the imagined scenarios in a three-day diary before returning to the lab. Results There was no effect of the experimental manipulation on vividness of the imagined scenarios or on the number of involuntary memories. However, participants who generated more vivid imagery of the scenarios recorded more involuntary memories. Exploratory analyses revealed further predictors of the quantity of involuntary memories experienced. Conclusions The results further our understanding of factors that may affect the likelihood of involuntary retrieval of previously-generated positive imagery, with both theoretical and potential clinical implications.